Mountain Frames

Get creative with your surroundings. The 5010 turns obstacles into features. Its nimble, poppy feel makes even the most mundane rides feel like they're loaded with features to hop, skip, and jump over. It's the kind of bike that makes new trails feel as familiar as the back of your hand. 27.5 is the fun-sized wheel size. Smaller wheels provide an ideal balance between toughness and weight saving making them the most fleet-footed (or quick fingered) whether launching logs or weaving through stumps. With its quick and agile character, the 5010 has become a go-to plaything for progressive riders the world over and the only contender on any backyard trails. It's a bike that goes harder than its vital stats may suggest. A 140mm-travel fork is paired with 130mm at the rear, the lower-link VPP configuration of which leaves you feeling there's a lot more travel at hand. And, you can choose how out of hand you want to get, as this pocket rocket fits all sizes and types of rear shocks. It's no handful, either. The relatively slack head angle makes it predictable to steer, the relatively low BB height turns like it's on tracks, and the short chainstays make this plaything easy to pick up and throw around. No matter how much of a big kid you are, the bike grows with you. We've tailored the geometry so frame size is matched to size-specific chainstay lengths and super-low standover heights make it feel (almost) like that BMX you had as a kid. Okay, perhaps that's a bit nostalgic, but the 5010's certainly a perfect gateway to the highs only proper mountain biking can offer. The 5010's balance and poise can turn any rider from cautious neophyte into a full-fledged flyer. The legendary Santa Cruz fit, finish, and quality construction make this pocket rocket tougher than a Tonka toy. Fun and games are guaranteed, and the frame and linkages come with a lifetime warranty. So don't be afraid. Roll up your sleeves, and go get creative.

The Chameleon changes to suit its environment. Twenty-niner or 27-plus, geared or single-speed, this adaptable hardtail utilizes a suite of simple, swappable dropouts to convert it from aggro trail charger to single-speed racer to husky bikepacking mule, or anything in between. Depending on setup and skill level, the Chameleon is capable on a wide range of terrain—aggressive trail riding to jump lines to all-around use. Going for maximum speed and rollability? Go 29er. Riding mostly loose terrain? Get some Plus tires that provide traction for days. With the Chameleon, the most versatile bike in our range ticks even more boxes.

The Chameleon changes to suit its environment. Twenty-niner or 27-plus, geared or single-speed, this adaptable hardtail utilizes a suite of simple, swappable dropouts to convert it from aggro trail charger to single-speed racer to husky bikepacking mule, or anything in between. Depending on setup and skill level, the Chameleon is capable on a wide range of terrain—aggressive trail riding to jump lines to all-around use. Going for maximum speed and rollability? Go 29er. Riding mostly loose terrain? Get some Plus tires that provide traction for days. With the Chameleon, the most versatile bike in our range ticks even more boxes.

The Chameleon, one of our longest-tenured models, has ascended the evolutionary ladder and is now a fully imagined carbon fiber sub-species. It’s Darwinism in action. We took the fun-loving, shreddy spirit and adjustability of the beloved aluminum Chameleon and added a lighter, faster, more advanced version of the species. It’s a do-it-all hardtail that is as happy making the most of backyard booter (mis)adventures as it is fully-loaded with camp gear and a color-matched dangle mug. Two bottle cage mounts, including a triple-bolt cargo cage mount under the downtube mean you can escape from the crowds, too. The Chameleon changes to suit its environment. Twenty-niner or 27-plus, geared or single-speed, this adaptable hardtail utilizes a suite of simple, swappable dropouts to convert it from aggro trail charger to single-speed racer to husky bikepacking mule, or anything in between. Depending on setup and skill level, the Chameleon is capable on a wide range of terrain—aggressive trail riding to jump lines to all-around use. Going for maximum speed and rollability? Go 29er. Riding mostly loose terrain? Get some Plus tires that provide traction for days. The most versatile bike in our range now ticks even more boxes.

The Chameleon, one of our longest-tenured models, has ascended the evolutionary ladder and is now a fully imagined carbon fiber sub-species. It’s Darwinism in action. We took the fun-loving, shreddy spirit and adjustability of the beloved aluminum Chameleon and added a lighter, faster, more advanced version of the species. It’s a do-it-all hardtail that is as happy making the most of backyard booter (mis)adventures as it is fully-loaded with camp gear and a color-matched dangle mug. Two bottle cage mounts, including a triple-bolt cargo cage mount under the downtube mean you can escape from the crowds, too. The Chameleon changes to suit its environment. Twenty-niner or 27-plus, geared or single-speed, this adaptable hardtail utilizes a suite of simple, swappable dropouts to convert it from aggro trail charger to single-speed racer to husky bikepacking mule, or anything in between. Depending on setup and skill level, the Chameleon is capable on a wide range of terrain—aggressive trail riding to jump lines to all-around use. Going for maximum speed and rollability? Go 29er. Riding mostly loose terrain? Get some Plus tires that provide traction for days. The most versatile bike in our range now ticks even more boxes.

The Highball is our flagship carbon hardtail race thoroughbred and a dark horse in XC versatility. More capable than a pure endurance bike, more composed than most XC race-rigs, the Highball has evolved to be easier to ride harder for longer. We fine-tuned the carbon layup process and the low-angle, bridgeless seatstays join the seat tube below the top tube junction in order to curb trail chatter. Built around a 27.2mm diameter seat post, the whole package combines to take the "hard" out of hardtail riding. It has the mindset of a race bike but it’s prepared for more. With capacity for three bottle cages, the ever-reliable threaded BB, and, of course, the lifetime warranty that comes standard with all Santa Cruz bikes, it’s the kind of bike that’ll go far.

Wide open, dawn to dusk. The Highball is our flagship carbon hardtail race thoroughbred, and a dark horse in XC versatility. More capable than a pure endurance bike, more composed than most XC race-rigs, the Highball has evolved to be easier to ride harder for longer. We fine-tuned the carbon layup process and the low-angle, bridgeless seatstays join the seat tube below the top tube junction in order to curb trail chatter. Built around a 27.2mm diameter seat post, the whole package combines to take the "hard" out of hardtail riding. It has the mindset of a race bike but it's prepared for more. With capacity for three bottle cages, the ever-reliable threaded BB, and of course, the lifetime warranty that comes standard with all Santa Cruz bikes, it's the kind of bike that'll go far.

THE MOUNTAIN BIKE, DISTILLED With 29-inch wheels, 145mm of rear Virtual Pivot Point (VPP) travel and a versatile personality, the newest Santa Cruz Hightower delivers mountain bike thrills over a wide range of terrain. Big on wheels, medium on travel, and short on fuss, this do-it-all model shines with a versatile balance of geometry, spec and durability. It’s mountain biking, distilled.

Our greatest hits compiled into one bike. Just hit play. If ever a bike resembled your most cherished mix tape compilation, the Hightower is it. Featuring our lower-link mounted shock design, updated, adjustable geometry, this "Engineering Best Of..." assembles some of our biggest design pleasers into one belter of a road-trip companion. The Hightower has been a does-it-all-well trail bike since its inception. More maneuverable than its longer-travel sibling, the Megatower, and more at home in the steep-and-chunky than its snappy cousin Tallboy, Hightower excels when the route covers 'all points in between,' and descents come courtesy of some big-ass climbs. The VPP suspension's lower-link-mounted shock creates a nearly linear leverage curve, meaning it mops up bumps of all sizes and maintains the kind of progressivity normally reserved for our V10 DH bike! 145mm of rear travel complemented by a 150mm front end gives Hightower just a bit more front and rear travel over the first generation model. Combined with a slacker 65-degree head tube angle, the Hightower still sits squarely in the Goldilocks zone, but with a touch more "Oh sh*t, get me out of here" capability when the porridge gets too hot! Balancing stiffness and weight savings in all the right places is a hallmark of all Santa Cruz carbon frames, and the Hightower flies the flag yet higher. The advanced composite chassis tracks well across all trail surfaces, holds a line, and is reactive to rider directions while isolating pedal-influenced inputs. The Hightower also has a bonus disc to heighten the experience: the flip chip. In the High setting, the BB height is a little higher for those tricky tech trails and/or when Plus sized tires are required. In the Low position, the shock rate is more progressive to provide additional bottom-out resistance. Whatever mood you're in, the tone of the Hightower can be adapted to meet your individual taste. And, speaking of taste, there's room for a water bottle inside the main frame and a threaded BB for convenience. There's refined cable routing for better shifting performance, simpler installation, and no cable rub. On top of that, there's a tailgate shuttle guard, downtube protector, shock fender, and noise-canceling chainstay protector to keep things quiet. The lifetime frame warranty and lifetime pivot bearing replacement policy assure you that the Hightower will keep delivering the hits for years to come.

Our greatest hits compiled into one bike. Just hit play. If ever a bike resembled your most cherished mix tape compilation, the Hightower is it. Featuring our lower-link mounted shock design, updated, adjustable geometry, this "Engineering Best Of..." assembles some of our biggest design pleasers into one belter of a road-trip companion. The Hightower has been a does-it-all-well trail bike since its inception. More maneuverable than its longer-travel sibling, the Megatower, and more at home in the steep-and-chunky than its snappy cousin Tallboy, Hightower excels when the route covers 'all points in between,' and descents come courtesy of some big-ass climbs. The VPP suspension's lower-link-mounted shock creates a nearly linear leverage curve, meaning it mops up bumps of all sizes and maintains the kind of progressivity normally reserved for our V10 DH bike! 145mm of rear travel complemented by a 150mm front end gives Hightower just a bit more front and rear travel over the first generation model. Combined with a slacker 65-degree head tube angle, the Hightower still sits squarely in the Goldilocks zone, but with a touch more "Oh sh*t, get me out of here" capability when the porridge gets too hot! Balancing stiffness and weight savings in all the right places is a hallmark of all Santa Cruz carbon frames, and the Hightower flies the flag yet higher. The advanced composite chassis tracks well across all trail surfaces, holds a line, and is reactive to rider directions while isolating pedal-influenced inputs. The Hightower also has a bonus disc to heighten the experience: the flip chip. In the High setting, the BB height is a little higher for those tricky tech trails and/or when Plus sized tires are required. In the Low position, the shock rate is more progressive to provide additional bottom-out resistance. Whatever mood you're in, the tone of the Hightower can be adapted to meet your individual taste. And, speaking of taste, there's room for a water bottle inside the main frame and a threaded BB for convenience. There's refined cable routing for better shifting performance, simpler installation, and no cable rub. On top of that, there's a tailgate shuttle guard, downtube protector, shock fender, and noise-canceling chainstay protector to keep things quiet. The lifetime frame warranty and lifetime pivot bearing replacement policy assure you that the Hightower will keep delivering the hits for years to come.

Jackal is an opportunistic scavenger of man-made terrain. The Jackal is a no-BS dirt jump, pump track, and urban assault bike. We sell it as a frame-only, and it runs on old-timey 26-inch wheels. Overbuilt to last forever, these frames will take more abuse than you can dish out, yet still weigh in at under 5lbs. A clever asymmetrical yoke permits the use of rock-solid and super-short 15.2-inch chainstays. And, for those who want to take their anarchy further afield, the unique sliding rear dropouts allow for a geared set-up as well as single speed. - Frame only

Seriously. The Megatower’s big wheels, long travel, and tough carbon fiber chassis delivers the high-speed security traits of a downhill bike. Yet the relatively-steep seat tube angle and size-specific geo maintain the Mega’s mega pedaling ability—elevating its reputation as the perfect choice for big gravity rides and DH park laps.

Seriously. The Megatower’s big wheels, long travel, and tough carbon fiber chassis delivers the high-speed security traits of a downhill bike. Yet the relatively-steep seat tube angle and size-specific geo maintain the Mega’s mega pedaling ability—elevating its reputation as the perfect choice for big gravity rides and DH park laps.

The ultimate power-wheeling, bump-chewing sidekick. The Megatower is the fusion of big wheels and the biggest-hitting suspension system. It's a modern day brawler, as suited to diehard racers as it is to riders wanting to conquer their hometown trails. Tracing its roots to the Hightower, and now featuring the lower link-driven VPP suspension derived from the V10, the Megatower is the most capable, confidence-inspiring 29er trail bike in our line-up. The lower-link-mounted shock configuration, designed for compatibility with both air (160mm fork) and coil shocks (170mm fork), provides a progressive shock rate that has unmatched traction and bottom-out resistance, making it ideal for taming the longest descents and rowdiest hits. In order to make the Megatower stride confidently across the globe, it has an enormous amount of clever adjustability hidden in its bones. A tidy and concealed flip chip in the lower-link adjusts bottom bracket height and changes progressivity of the rear suspension. A second in the rear dropouts allows for a 10mm fore-aft adjustment in chainstay length to dial in the rider's rearward weight distribution—either set for play or for stability. The flip chips are a robust mechanism for riders looking to tune their ride according to their needs without compromising reliability and durability. No wackadoo mousetraps and frail proprietary shocks here. The Megatower isn't all fight and fury, it's smart and savvy, too. It has a sharp, 76-degree seat tube angle for winching to the top of the kinds of descents where having a roomier cockpit and a 65-degree head tube angle will come in handy. And, you can still carry around a full water bottle inside the frame (even with a piggyback shock), and the frame is well protected with a shock fender, shuttle guard, downtube protector, and ribbed chainstay protector.

The ultimate power-wheeling, bump-chewing sidekick. The Megatower is the fusion of big wheels and the biggest-hitting suspension system. It's a modern day brawler, as suited to diehard racers as it is to riders wanting to conquer their hometown trails. Tracing its roots to the Hightower, and now featuring the lower link-driven VPP suspension derived from the V10, the Megatower is the most capable, confidence-inspiring 29er trail bike in our line-up. The lower-link-mounted shock configuration, designed for compatibility with both air (160mm fork) and coil shocks (170mm fork), provides a progressive shock rate that has unmatched traction and bottom-out resistance, making it ideal for taming the longest descents and rowdiest hits. In order to make the Megatower stride confidently across the globe, it has an enormous amount of clever adjustability hidden in its bones. A tidy and concealed flip chip in the lower-link adjusts bottom bracket height and changes progressivity of the rear suspension. A second in the rear dropouts allows for a 10mm fore-aft adjustment in chainstay length to dial in the rider's rearward weight distribution—either set for play or for stability. The flip chips are a robust mechanism for riders looking to tune their ride according to their needs without compromising reliability and durability. No wackadoo mousetraps and frail proprietary shocks here. The Megatower isn't all fight and fury, it's smart and savvy, too. It has a sharp, 76-degree seat tube angle for winching to the top of the kinds of descents where having a roomier cockpit and a 65-degree head tube angle will come in handy. And, you can still carry around a full water bottle inside the frame (even with a piggyback shock), and the frame is well protected with a shock fender, shuttle guard, downtube protector, and ribbed chainstay protector.

More travel than a white van Big-mountain riding is a nomadic existence: meeting friends in farflung car parks; pinpointing trails you're not sure are even rideable; sending the ones you know are. Shiny new bling gets battered, shattered, and bruised. That's life. That's how it should be. That's why the Nomad exists. Probably the most abused bike in our line up, every Nomad has a story to tell. But, each Nomad we've made keeps coming back for more. It's not Stockholm Syndrome, it's called sealed bearings in all pivots, a lower link grease port, shuttle guards, and free bearing replacements. Why scrap a frame when a simple bearing service can make one last a lifetime? That's our stance on sustainability at least, and it's why our carbon fiber doesn't just mean lighter, it means tough as hell backed up by a lifetime warranty and crash replacement support. There's no time for puzzling when on a road trip, either. That's why we chose 27.5 wheels as the go-to for the widest variety of riding styles and rider sizes. When peeling your bike out of the van at a new spot, your only question should be: "Is this a full-face or a half-lid kinda ride?" The 64-degree head angle and 77-degree seat angle puts you in the sweet spot when winching up to the top of a big drop-in. Meanwhile, proportional chainstay lengths mean handling is never compromised, regardless of frame size. And, when we say big travel, we're not talking about your Transit's odometer. We're talking 170mm of 38mm diameter fork and 170mm of VPP rear suspension compatible with both coil and air shocks. The details are completed by a neat mud flap to protect the rear shock, plus tidy cable routing within the frame and swingarm and rubberized DT protectors that shrug off strikes. So, van-lifers, unite. The Nomad is the kind of bike you need never worry about all summer long. Sorry we can't say the same for the locked public washrooms and parking tickets.

More travel than a white van Big-mountain riding is a nomadic existence: meeting friends in farflung car parks; pinpointing trails you're not sure are even rideable; sending the ones you know are. Shiny new bling gets battered, shattered, and bruised. That's life. That's how it should be. That's why the Nomad exists. Probably the most abused bike in our line up, every Nomad has a story to tell. But, each Nomad we've made keeps coming back for more. It's not Stockholm Syndrome, it's called sealed bearings in all pivots, a lower link grease port, shuttle guards, and free bearing replacements. Why scrap a frame when a simple bearing service can make one last a lifetime? That's our stance on sustainability at least, and it's why our carbon fiber doesn't just mean lighter, it means tough as hell backed up by a lifetime warranty and crash replacement support. There's no time for puzzling when on a road trip, either. That's why we chose 27.5 wheels as the go-to for the widest variety of riding styles and rider sizes. When peeling your bike out of the van at a new spot, your only question should be: "Is this a full-face or a half-lid kinda ride?" The 64-degree head angle and 77-degree seat angle puts you in the sweet spot when winching up to the top of a big drop-in. Meanwhile, proportional chainstay lengths mean handling is never compromised, regardless of frame size. And, when we say big travel, we're not talking about your Transit's odometer. We're talking 170mm of 38mm diameter fork and 170mm of VPP rear suspension compatible with both coil and air shocks. The details are completed by a neat mud flap to protect the rear shock, plus tidy cable routing within the frame and swingarm and rubberized DT protectors that shrug off strikes. So, van-lifers, unite. The Nomad is the kind of bike you need never worry about all summer long. Sorry we can't say the same for the locked public washrooms and parking tickets.

If ever there was a gravity riders' XC bike, the Tallboy is it. The new 120mm Tallboy takes a leap further into what short-travel bikes really are capable of. With kick-ass lower-link VPP suspension, a streamlined design, the typical Santa Cruz refinement, and rather radical geometry, the Tallboy is back to being a genre-bending folk hero. Sure, 10mm more travel might only seem like one small step. But, coupled with a lower link-driven VPP suspension design, this is one giant leap for the Tallboy. It's the kind of bike that makes you sprint while going up, along, over, or down because of the maximum efficiency of the VPP design and responsive, lightweight chassis. But, because it shares the same engineering principles as our longest travel bikes, the progressive lower link-mounted shock feels equally at home doing cross-country as it does in extreme-country. Paired with a 130mm fork the new Tallboy becomes ever more appealing to riders who like to open it up. And, the geometry: that's a big part of what's going on... Established theory suggests shorter-travel bikes get ridden more slowly, therefore require steeper and more conservative geometries. In reality though, when was the last time you ever throttled back on a fun trail because you weren't on a bigger bike? ...caution to the wind and all that. So, we've done the same here and mimicked our longer travel geometry to create a bike with a 65.5-degree head-angle, generous front center, and short-offset fork, something rarely seen on a bike of this ilk. And, the radical thinking doesn't stop there. The Tallboy's short-short 430mm chainstays have +/- 10mm of rear axle adjustment to ensure riders of all sizes and styles feel equally at home. Match that to a relatively low BB (335mm and 37.5mm drop), and you've got a combo that's ready to haul into every pocket turn and launch out the other side. - Frame only

If ever there was a gravity riders' XC bike, the Tallboy is it. The new 120mm Tallboy takes a leap further into what short-travel bikes really are capable of. With kick-ass lower-link VPP suspension, a streamlined design, the typical Santa Cruz refinement, and rather radical geometry, the Tallboy is back to being a genre-bending folk hero. Sure, 10mm more travel might only seem like one small step. But, coupled with a lower link-driven VPP suspension design, this is one giant leap for the Tallboy. It's the kind of bike that makes you sprint while going up, along, over, or down because of the maximum efficiency of the VPP design and responsive, lightweight chassis. But, because it shares the same engineering principles as our longest travel bikes, the progressive lower link-mounted shock feels equally at home doing cross-country as it does in extreme-country. Paired with a 130mm fork the new Tallboy becomes ever more appealing to riders who like to open it up. And, the geometry: that's a big part of what's going on... Established theory suggests shorter-travel bikes get ridden more slowly, therefore require steeper and more conservative geometries. In reality though, when was the last time you ever throttled back on a fun trail because you weren't on a bigger bike? ...caution to the wind and all that. So, we've done the same here and mimicked our longer travel geometry to create a bike with a 65.5-degree head-angle, generous front center, and short-offset fork, something rarely seen on a bike of this ilk. And, the radical thinking doesn't stop there. The Tallboy's short-short 430mm chainstays have +/- 10mm of rear axle adjustment to ensure riders of all sizes and styles feel equally at home. Match that to a relatively low BB (335mm and 37.5mm drop), and you've got a combo that's ready to haul into every pocket turn and launch out the other side.

THE TRAIL BIKES THAT LOVE TO PLAY The Santa Cruz Tallboy combines short travel efficiency with modern geometry to create a bike that's as up for the big climb as it is the big descent. These sporty 29ers are the perfect choice for riders considering a cross country bike but will likely never race. They climb efficiently, roll fast on the on the flats, and have some real capability for when the DH music goes from easy listening to rock-and-roll. Featuring a 130mm fork and 120mm of Virtual Pivot Point (VPP) rear suspension travel, Tallboy is sporty, capable, and fun.

Puzzling Ain't Easy The V10 is designed to be exactly the right bike for anyone who steps up to the start line with eyes on a podium. The racer who chooses a V10 is the recipient of every bit of work and puzzling that's gone into the Syndicate's race bikes. The continuous fine-tuning that the V10 has undergone with the Syndicate for World Cup season after season has guaranteed regular, high-level feedback. The result is perhaps the most refined suspension performance available outside of a World Cup pit. 215mm of VPP travel is exquisitely refined, and the ease of tuning and serviceability of the VPP system makes it a hit in the pits with mechanics and privateers. Wheel size has been the latest puzzle to ponder. Greg Minnaar, being a tall rider looking for pure speed on the clock, focuses his choice on 29-inch wheels. Luca Shaw chose what feels fun, because, to him, if he's having fun he's going fast, so he's on a mixed setup. Bottom line: your V10 is optimized for who you are. The most successful bike in downhill history shows no signs of slowing down.

Puzzling Ain't Easy The V10 is designed to be exactly the right bike for anyone who steps up to the start line with eyes on a podium. The racer who chooses a V10 is the recipient of every bit of work and puzzling that's gone into the Syndicate's race bikes. The continuous fine-tuning that the V10 has undergone with the Syndicate for World Cup season after season has guaranteed regular, high-level feedback. The result is perhaps the most refined suspension performance available outside of a World Cup pit. 215mm of VPP travel is exquisitely refined, and the ease of tuning and serviceability of the VPP system makes it a hit in the pits with mechanics and privateers. Wheel size has been the latest puzzle to ponder. Greg Minnaar, being a tall rider looking for pure speed on the clock, focuses his choice on 29-inch wheels. Luca Shaw chose what feels fun, because, to him, if he's having fun he's going fast, so he's on a mixed setup. Bottom line: your V10 is optimized for who you are. The most successful bike in downhill history shows no signs of slowing down.